Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-14
COlOred Bride and White Groom


A COLORRD PRIMA DONNA, FORMERLY OF THIS CITY
ENGAGED TO MARRY HER MANAGER.
Mr. j. A. Arneaux communicates the following
to the New York World: Following the example OF
Frederick Douglass, Miss Flora BatsOn, who Is re.
cOgnized as the greatest female ballad singer the
negro race has thus far produced, will shor thy
marry white man, the gentleman who has for
several years been successfully conducting col.
Ored concerts. in which she has appeared as the
star. The happy groom is Mr.. JAS. g. Bergen, who
bears relation to the Bergens after whom New
Jerseys famous summer resort Is named. Mr.
Bergen Is a handsome man, OF the blonde type
and has seen about fOrty-five summers. He was
born in Petersburg. Ill About nve years ago he
conceived the idea OF organizing concert com.
pany OF colored singers, 10 give concerts for the
benefit OF colOred churches. His idea was to give
money prizes TO those who sold the highest mum.
Der OF tickets, and a certain sum from the net
profits OF the concert to the church for whose
benefit the concert was given. BY this method
he managed to always have large and profit
able audiences, chiefly made up OF colored people.
At first Mr.. Bergen tried the novel method OF
having colored and white artists appear together.
or the cOlOred artists there were Nine. Nellie
Brown Mitchell, Adelaide G. Smith, and Nine
Montgomery or the whites there were the Silver
Lake Quartet, with Marshall p. Wilder as humor-
list. 1t may be remarked that in these concerts MIR
Wilder achieved his first great success as funny
man." The Silver Lake Quartet and MIR, Wilder
finally withdrew, 1t Is sad because they found II
more congenial to appear before intelligent white
audiences with strictly Caucasian company.
Mr.. Bergen then employed all cOlOred artists and
uuullfdUiy. ABOUT TWO years Mr.
Bergen heard the wonderful voice OF his Intended
bride, who was then singing in a coiored church
choir In Providence, r. /. He brought her to New
York and she electrified her audiences. Since then
she has been Mr.. Bergen's "star." Mr. Bergen mas
been widOwer about a year. He has son about
twelve years old.
Miss Flora Batson was born In Washington
twenty-three years ago. She began TO sing at nine
years OF age. When she was four years old She re.
moved to Providence, r. l.. with her mother, and
there joined the Bethel church choir OF which sue
became the leading singer. She sang for two
years In the interest OF StOrer College, at Harpers
Ferry, Travelled with ThOs N. Do0tney the TEN
perance lecturer, and has filled engagements with
Rev. JOS. Cook, OF Boston. She has never had any
special training. She has mezzo-soprano voice.
When Mr. Bergen makes her his wife he will place
her In a musical conservatory.
Much Indignation Is felt by the colOred peeple
as the race In general Is opposed to a prominent
member marrying white person, but whatever
may be the feeling OF either the colOred or the
alliance win be highly agreeable to Manager
Bergen and his spouse" When asked BY The
writer why, unlike her sex, she readily admitted
the engagement, he said she thought too much OF
him TO deny It. Mr.. Bergen says he wishes 10 see
the color line broken, aud II his action VIII contri.
Il Is said that the profits from Miss Batsons con.
certs have amounted TO $4,000